Multiple die for postage meters



Joa, 13,1925.

1,557,086 A. H. PITNEY MULTIPLE bis Foa PORTAGE METERS., ETC

origina; Fil'ed June 19. 192:! 2 sheets-snee; 1

X fr We -IOO Oct 13, 1925' A. H. PITNEY 1557086 MULTIPLE DIE FOR PORTAGE METERS, ETC

ari 11131 Filed June 19. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 letton/19145 FW' 'Patented oct. 13, 1925.

.UNITED lSTATES LES-7,086

PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY, 0F STANFORD, CONNECTICUT, .ASSIGrN0^1t, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO IPITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER COMPANY, 0F STANFORD, CONNECTI- CU T, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE MULTIPLE DIE FOR POSTAGE METERS, ETC.

Original application led June 19, 1923,

To aZZ 'whomvzt may concern.'

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. PITNEY,

l 646,443; and is a novel multiple die for use in .postage meter machines of the ,type shown in my Patent #1,370,668, dated March 8, 1920,4 and in particular in the postage meter shown in my application for patent, filed June 22, 1923, Ser. No. 647,143.

In the latter application I have shown a simple novel portable postage metermachine which will enable the user to buy any desired amount of prepaid postage vfrom the Government and print such postage from time to time on hls mail in various quantities and amounts as desired, until the total 'amount of postage for which he has paid` is exhausted; whereupon the printing and registering mechanisms will automatically be locked so that no more postmark stamps can be printed until the machine or .meter is reset. For `this purpose the meter, or the entire printing mechanism and meter, may be bodily detached from the sealing mechanism and taken as a whole to the post office for re-setting, substantially as described in my aforesaid patent and application. The' meter or printing mechanism and meter can be replaced and further sealin and printing operations can be performed until the amount of postage paid for is again exhausted.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a multiple-faced die whichcan be used in the aforesaid machines or in other postage meter machines; `and to fu'rther provide means whereby any one of the faces of such die can be operatively posi-4 tioned in the meter to imprint a stamp of corresponding denomination or value n the letter; and in the aforesaid patent application isv disclosed means in such meter whereby the amount of the denomination of Fig.

Serial No. 646,443. Divided and this application led August 24, 1923. Serial No. 659,237;

any stamp imprinted by such die will be simultaneously and automatically registered in thev meter.

To enable others to adopt and use the invention I will explain it with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, and thereafter set forth in the claims the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detail section through the meter drum of the machine shown in my aforesaid parent application, with the novel multiple die and registering mechanism therein.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through Fig. 3 is aside view of the multiple faced die meter.

Fig. 4 is a detail section thereof on the line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 5 5, Fig, 3.

Fig. 6 is an end-view of the multiple faced die,

Fig. 7 is a side view of such die.

Fig. 8 is an opposite end view` of such die.

The complete machine shown in my aforesaid application, Ser. No. 647,143 includes means for opening and moistening the iiap of a letter and sealing same, and means for printing a prepaid postage stamp thereupon and simultaneously registering the amount of stamps so printed.

As shown in said application Ser. No. 647,143 and in application Ser. No. 646,443 and in Figs. 1-'4 the mete-r drum consists of two circular end plates 207 and 208, and an intermediate cylindrical casing 203 which has two glazed sight openings 203El and 203b (Fig. 3) through which may be read the figures on the total or ascending counter T, and the balance or descending counter B. The casing also has an opening closed by a door.204 (Fig. 2) which when closed is locked by means of a catch 205a engaging a lug 204" on the door 204. The catch 205a is attached to the plug 205b of a Yale lock 205.

A novel multiple postmarkrdie 308 is adjustably mounted in said meter drum as hereinafter described, and at each effective rotation of the meter drum one of the printing faces of said die cooperates with suitable be printed at each effective rotation of the meter drum as described in my application Ser. No. 647,143.

Within the meter drum is mounted an ascending counter or total register, indicated at T, and a balance counter or descending register, indicated at B. These registers may be of any suitable type, but are preferably of the type described in my application filed July 12, 1922, Serial No. 574,427, and in my application filed December 12, 1922, Serial No. 606,427. Suitable gearing is provided, as indicated in AFigs 1 and 2, whereby for each rotation ,of the meter drum the units wheels of the registers T and B are respectively operated in accordance with the denomination of the postmark stamp printed; each unit wheel being moved one point for a 1 stamp, or two points for a 2 stamp etc. whereby for each rotation of the meter drum the proper extent of motion is imparted to the units wheel gears of the respective registers. The total sum of the postmark stamp impressions made is recorded in ascending progression on the total counter or ascending register T; and the amount of each postmark made is subtracted in descending progression on the balance counter or descending register B.

The parts thus far described are substantially constructed and arranged to operate as described in my aforesaid application, Ser. No. 647,143 except the multiple die and the means for changing the ratio of the gearing for actuating the registers. In application Ser. No. 646,443 a multiple changeable or variable die is used in the meter drum and means are provided whereby the registers are actuated in accordance with the denomination of that face of the die which is adjusted to operative or printing position.

The multiple faced die 308 as shown has three printing faces 1, 2, 4 engraved on rvthe three sides of a triangular shaped body 308, each stamp having a different denomination (for 1, 2 and 4c). Each die face is approximately rectangular in form and bears all the marks of identification required by the Government.

The die 308 is fast to aspindle 310 rotatably mounted in bearings in a suitable frame or casting 315 secured within the meter drum 300 and in such position that one printing face of the die 308 will be presented in position for printing through an opening in the casing 312as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

This spindle 310 may be turned by a screw driver inserted in the notch in the end thereof (see Fig. 5) to adjust the die to de sired operative position. The die can be locked when adjusted in operative position by any suitable means. As shown the die body has three openings, 308x1 in one end equi-distant from shaft 310, which openings are adapted to be engaged by sliding bolts 314, which are slidably mounted in the brackets 315 (Figs. 4 and 5) and are attached to a member 313 which is slidable on the spindle 310 and attached to a plate 311, which is slidable Within the casing 312 and is adjustable by any suitable means.

As shown a screw 311a passes through a slot 312a in the casing, and engages a nut 311b fast to the plate 311. By loosening this bolt the plate 31,1, member 313, and bolts 314 can be adjusted endwise of the drum so as to project the bolt 314 into engagement with openings 308n so as to lock the die in any adjusted position or the bolt can be retracted to disengage the die, andpermit it to be turned so as to adjust the desired printing surface at the periphery of the drum for use.

When the bolts 314 are retracted to release the die they simultaneously engage sockets 105a in the hood 105, thereby locking the drum against rotation, while the die is being shifted, and thereby preventing any improper turning of the drum.

The register in the drum must be actuated in accordance with the denomination of that printing surface of the die which is at printing position, and means are provided whereby the adjustment of the die automatically effects adjustment of the variable gearing between the spindle 213 on which the drum is mounted and the registering devices within the drum so that'the latter will be ope-rated for each rotation of the drum in exact accordance with the denomination of the stamp to be printed by the die. This mechanism is fully shown and described vin my aforesaid application Ser. No. 646,443.

An intermittent gear 301, Figs. 1 and- 2, is slidably mounted (but not rotatably) 011 shaft 213 and has three sets o'f teeth on its periphery, one set consisting of. four equally spaced teeth 301a, the secondset having two equally spaced teeth 301", and the last having only one tooth 301. A follower gear 302 is ypinned to shaft 303 and has ten equally spaced stops cut in its periphery and ten notches adapted to engage with the teeth of the intermittent gear 301. A gear 304 (Figs. 1 and 2) is also pinned to shaft 303 and revolves in unison with the follower gear 302. Gear 304 is directly in mesh with the units spindle gear 305 of the balance counter B, and through an intermediate gear 306 drives the spindle Gear 30G of the total counter T.

A cam 30 is loosely mounted on a spindle 308and has a peripheral cam 307b provided with the follower gear 302. The cam 307 is rotated to its various positions in accordance with the osition of the die 308 by means of a gear 30 a fastened to cam 307 and gearing with an intermediate 309 which is driven by gear 308El pinned to the spindle 310 to which the die 308 is keyed.

"-.On each face of the die 308 is engraved a postmark stamp of any suitable design, or similar to that shown in Fig. 4, except that the denominations (which m'ay be lo, 2c or 4) differ. When it is desired to change the denominations of the postmark stamp to be printed-the screw 311, Fig. 6, is loosened and plate 311 slid away from the die 308, clearing its path of rotation and withdrawing bolts 314 (Fig. 4) from t e die 308 entering them into holes 105, thereb locking the meter drum against rotation. gpindle 310 is then turned clockwise revolving the die 308 until the desired denomination of stamp appears in printing position. v As the die is thus shifted gear 308a is turned thereby and through the intermediate gear 308, and gear 307a causes the cam 307 to be revolved 'clockwise, and this cam in so turning moves the intermittent gear 301 tothe left, until the two-tooth section of the gear 301 is alined with the follower gear 302; therebyy changing the driving ratio between gear 301 andI the follower gear 302 from four to two.

l Every time the drum 300 makes one revolution the follower gear 302 is caused to revolve in a planetary motion about the gear 301, and (as in such position of gear 301 only two teeth on gear 301 will engage the follower gear 302) cause` gear 302 to be turned two tenths of one revolution; and this motion is transmitted to the counter spindle by gears 304 and 305, and thus the counter units Wheel is turned two tenths of onerevolution, or two units.

It is obvious that by properly changing theratio between gear 301 and gear 302 in this manner, any denomination of die may be used, and the exact amount thereof will be accurately recorded on the counter at each o eration of the machine.

he counter is preferably of the geared type, as described in my aforesaid applications and the method of locking, sealing and recharging the meter has been described in my said patent and application, and needs no further explanation here.

ln' each working face of the multiple die is a slot 317 and a rod 316 is passed through a hole in the die 308 adjacent each face 1, 2, 4 and intersecting the adjacent slot 317.

This rod 316 has a handle 316av on one end and when the handle is in down position (Figs. 3, 5 and 8) the rod protrudes into the slot- 317 and the rod may be held in this position by. a ball and spring catch indicated at 316C. A flat is milled on one side 4of the rod and parallel to the handle 316, and when the handle is raised 90 this Hat registers with thc/slot 317 and will admit the slug into the slot.

' A. date and hour slug 318 isv removablyv fitted in slot 317, said.v slug having a groove 4cut in its side which aligns with the rod 316 when the slug is in the slot 317 Vhen handle 316 is turned to the down positionthe rod 316 (Figs. l5 and' 7)- engages the groove in the slug and prevents it coming out. The permit slug may be placed in a suitable slot in the die and fastened by'means of a screw. This however forms no part of the present invention.

The meter drum is limited to rotation in one direction, as described in my said application, by any suitable means, so that it cannot be turned backward and improperly alter the record of impressions made.

Means are provided, as described in my aforesaidA patent and application, whereby when the amount of prepaid postage for which the descending counter has been set is exhausted, the registering mechanism is,

lockedand further effective printing opercounter which is similar to'that shown in prior' application, and comprises a series of numeral wheels 251, each of which is provided with a slot adapted to be engaged by a tooth 250a on a locking plate 250, which plate is normally pressed toward the wheels by springs 250B. The units Wheel of this series is fixed to the shaft or gear 305 so `as to be'rotated thereby; and the units wheel carries over tothe tens wheel; the tens carries over to the hundreds; and so on, as described inmy aforesaid applications.

A handle 250'? (Figs. 1 and 2) is fastened to one side of the locking co-mb250, and has a lug 250c projecting .oppositely to the teeth 2501. Said lug normally projects into the path of a lug on a lever 252 (when the meter is charged or in operative position), which lever is pivoted on a suitable support within the meter drum and engages a slidable locki ing bolt 253, which is mounted in theme-tor tra plate 250 can enter the corresponding notches in such registering wheels (as described in my aforesaid applications) the spring 250S swings the plate 250 toward the registering wheels and thus withdraws the finger 250c out-of the path of the lug 252, whereupon the spring actuated lever 252 projects bolt 253 into position to lock the meter drum to the main frame 100 and prevent further rotation of the meter drum until the bolt is retracted.

In Fig. 1 the two teeth of locking comb engaging the units and tens figure wheels of the counterl are omitted. Therefore the locking will take place when the dollar wheels show zero; while the balance (in cents) as shown by the units and tens wheels, is left standing to be used after the next setting.

IVhen the register I) is locked, as above described, the register T will also be locked, because the whole train of gearing is locked, and further rotation of the meter drum is prevented, and when register D is reset ready for further operations, register T will also be ready for further operations.

When the meter drum is thus locked the machine is inoperative and must be taken to the post oiice to be re-set. When taken to the post oiice the proper official unlocks the door 204 which he opens wit-ha key v retained by the post oiiice department. After opening the meter drum door 204 the official resets the mechanism as described in my aforesaid application.

While `I have described the .multiple die as having three printing surfaces, obviously the number of such surfaces might be varied according to the desired capacity of the machine. In some cases two surfaces might he sufficient, in'others more than three might be required. In any case the number of the sets of teeth on the gear 301 and the number of cams and dwells on the cam 307 should accord with the number and the denominations of the printing dies; i. e. there must be such operative relations between the printing die andregistering mechanism that whenever the die isshifted to change its face the register actuating mechanism will be shifted, so that for each printing operation of any printing surface the register will be actuated in accordance with the denomination of such surface.

Further, while I have explained the invention as used in the meter drum of a machine such as shown in my application Ser. No. 647,143 above referred to; the invention is not limited to use with such a machine, nor to use with the particular meter drum referred to, as it is readily adaptable or applicable to other meters and machines; as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art.

The adaptability and utility of the invention for other purposes in the art than merely printing postage, will be obvious to those familiar with the invention, and-I consider all such applications within the scope of the invention as covered in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character specified, a rotatable drum, a multiple faced die mounted on said drum adapted to have any of its faces brought to printing position on the drum, a slidable plate and a slidable bolt mounted in the drum and adapted in one position to lock the die in adjusted position in the drum, and in another position to free the die.

2. In combination with mechanism as specified in claim 1,. said bolt when disengaged f1 om the die operation of the die.

3. In mechanism of the character specified, a rotatable drum, a die having a plurality of stamp printing surfaces; means for adjusting the die to bring any one of the surfaces to operative position registering mechanism in the drum; and means whereby the registering mechanism is actuated at each oper-ation of the die in accordance with the denomination5 of that printing surface of the die which is adjusted to operative position.

4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 3, means controlled by the registering mechanism whereby the number of impressions which can be made by the dies is automatically limited. A

5. In a machine of the character specified, a rotatable meter drum; a multiplefaced die mounted in said drum adapted to'have any of its faces brought to printing position in the drum in accordance with the denomination of the stamp to bev printed; registering mechanism in the drum; and means whereby the registering mechanism is actuated at each operation of thedie in accordance with -the denomination of that printing surface of the die which is adjusted to operative position.A

6. In mechanism as set forth in claim 5, means controlled by the registering mecha- ,nism whereby the number of impressions which can be made by the dies is automatically limited.

7. In a machine of the character specied, a frame, a meter drum rotatably mounted upon said frame; a multiple faced die in said drum adapted to have any of its printing surfaces. brought to printing position in relation to the surface of the drum; registering mechanism in the drum; and means whereby the registering mechanlsm 1s actuated at each operation of the die in accordance with the denomination of that printing surface of the die which is adjusted to operative position.

8. In mechanism asset forthin claim 7, means controlled by the registering mechapreventing any printing `aiections adapted in one position to lock the nismV whereby the numberv of impressions which can be made by the dies isautomatically limited. A

9. In mechanism of the character specified, a rotatable drum, a multiple printing die mounted in said drum; means for adjusting the die to bring any one' of its printing surfaces to operative position; means for locking the die, in adjusted position in the drum; registering mechanism in the drum; and means whereby the registering mechanism is actuated at each operation of the die in accordance with the denomination of that printing surface of the die which is adjusted to operative position.

10. In mechanism as set forth in claim 9 nie-ans controlled by the registering mechanism whereby the number of impressions which can be made by the dies is automatically limited.

11.. In' mechanism of the character speciied, a rotary drum; an adjustable die rotatably mounted in said drum, and having a plurality of stamp printing surfaces, said die having openings corresponding in number vto its surfaces and a Slidable bolt mounted in thedrum adjacent the die and adapted to engage an opening and lock the die in adjusted position.

l12. In mechanism of the character s ecied, a rotary drum, an adjustable die avin a plurality of stamp printing surfaces,

said die having openings and a bolt adapted to .engage an opening and lock the die in adjusted position; a slidable plate and condrum and connections between said plate and bolt.

13. In mechanism'of the character speci-l fied, an adjustable die having a plurality of stamp printing surfaces, said die having openings and a bolt adapted to engage an opening and lock the die in adjusted position, said bolt when disengaged from the die preventing any printing operation of the die.

14. In a machine of the character s eciiied, a rotatable drum, a multiple face die mounted ons-aid drum adapted to have any of its facesl brought to printing position on the drum, and a slidable bolt mounted in the drum adjacent the die and adapted to lock the die in adjusted position.

15. In mechanism as set forth in claim 14, said bolt when adjusted to free the die locking the drum against rotation.

16. A multiple printing die for the purpose specified, comprising a. rotatable body having a plurality of printing surfaces on its periphery, any1 surface of which may be brought to operative position by turning the die on its axis: each printing surface having a slot for the reception of a slug, each slug having a recess; andi means for locking the slugsjcomprising rods extending through` the body and respectively intersecting the slots and adapted when turned in one position to engage the recesses in the slugs to lock Vthe slugs in the slots, and in another position to disengage the recesses and free the slugs.

17. In a machine of the character specified, a rotatable drum, an adjustable die, a counting mechanism in the drum adapted to indicate and record the number or value of the impressions made by the die, in accord with the value of the stamp indicated on the' printing surface employed, and also adapted to prevent further impressions after a predetermined amount or value has been exhausted to a point equal to or less than $1.00, the amount being reduced in multiples according to the denominations of the surfaces of the 4die used.

In testimony as my own, I affix my signature.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY.

that I claim the foregoing 

